Dean to renew his work with Democracy for America...DFA. Among other things.

[madfloridian]

He admits to his disappointment at being passed up for the HHS post, but he is looking ahead.

Dean talks about post DNC plans

Despite spending four years deep in the trenches of political warfare, Dean won't be winding down. In a phone interview with the Huffington Post he listed seven full-to-part-time gigs that he has lined up for the months and years ahead. Chief among them would be to renew his work with Democracy for America, the organization that he founded to build on the grassroots success of his presidential campaign.

"I'll be most interested in their health care stuff," he said. "Not only pushing for a health care bill but for one with meaningful reform."

In addition, Dean says he plans to work with foreign governments, specifically in Europe - where he is traveling this week - to advise progressive parties and interests. In France, he says, he will help groups looking to diversify their political coalitions. "They all want to take advantage of the Obama mania," he said. "They are wondering where their Obama is. So we are going to talk about diversity."

As for domestic politics, there won't be any individual consulting, at least in the near future. "Probably not," he said. "We will of course be doing stuff through Democracy for America. But I don't really plan to be a political consultant."

For Dean, who will be based in Vermont while traveling often to D.C., employment doesn't end there. The governor will work closely with the National Democratic Institute on topics such as spreading democracy and monitoring elections. He will serve as a Senior Strategic Advisor and Independent Consultant at the firm McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP. He will also work on early childhood education with a pilot program in New York City. Additionally, through the Harry Walker Agency, Dean will give paid-for speeches.

He won't be back there full time, but at least he is not legally forbidden to take part now.

[Botany]

1. Thank you Dr. Dean

Your 50 State plan worked and it can keep working if people keep working "it."

[EraOfResponsibility]

3. does that very large picture have something to do with your post? lol

[Botany]

4. Dean likes to canoe

I couldn't find a picture of him canoeing so I found a pix of canoe trip in Alaska ..... :shrug:

[madfloridian]

5. Great pic.

Reminds of his picture as governor. I think he was in a canoe then, or at least had a paddle in his hands.

[patrice]

2. I am very happy to hear this about DFA!

I am here for the Good Doctor's 50 State Strategy!

:bounce:

[madfloridian]

23. We were glad to hear it also.

:hi:

[tan guera]

25. Welcome home, Howard!

[patrice]

29. I always thought they had one of the best meeting plans Ever!

Around here, every meeting began with an issue, letter writing materials and info were distributed, and whilst other business was conducted, anyone who wanted to wrote letters, put them in envelopes, and addressed and stamped them. Those meeting used to produce 20-30 letters e-v-e-r-y time we met.

[Jeep789]

6. I really admire Dean and wish Obama had recognized

and honored his achievements. Dean has so much character and despite being kicked in the teeth over and over he just keeps going and accomplishing wonderful things.

[Thickasabrick]

7. Best part of this article was the last paragraph talking about Obama's

health care plan:

"The budget was an important first step," he said. "And now the question is the substance of the bill... What the Obama campaign's proposal does is get rid of the Harry and Louise stuff and this is socialized medicine stuff. Because Harry and Louise relied on deceiving people about a new plan that they wouldn't be able to understand. President Obama is not proposing a new plan that the American people won't understand. What he is proposing is if you want what you have you can keep it. If you want to have private insurance you can. If you want to have Medicare you can have that too... there is no boogeyman in this plan."

I will never understand why Obama didn't want him for that post. He is such a remarkable man.

[tan guera]

26. Why wasn't Howard selected?

IMO, Rahm and Gibbs

[Thickasabrick]

37. That is just a shame. I heard elsewhere also that his personality

was too confrontational. To me that sounds like something we need but I could be wrong.

[fadedrose]

38. Is Surgeon General going to S. Gupta for sure? nt

[madfloridian]

8. The lessons learned...

It's okay for Rahm to use the word "f***" every other breath. It's okay for him to insult progressives and advocate for his candidates to go right on Iraq and go right on immigration.

He's a hero because he's an a**hole, and takes pride in it.

Yet I see posts here even today that Dean could not be a party leader because he is too controversial.

Ain't it amazing how the Democrats do it?

Now the face of the party is someone who prides himself on being nasty and ugly even to fellow Democrats, and a decent guy who worked hard for the party is out on his butt because he does not please Republicans?

That's our party for you.

Dean not qualified? He's too controversial? Yet Rahm is accepted as normal? His brother Zeke who phase out Medicare and Medicaid is acceptable as well?

Ain't it amazing. The guy who kept our party together is out on his butt because the effing Republicans don't like him.

:puke:

[Jeep789]

9. Dean's controversial because he speaks the truth

Pity that people don't want to hear it.

[mzmolly]

10. I don't buy the Republians don't like him crap. Emanuel doesn't like

Dean. That's the real reason.

[Cronopio]

11. But Rahm seems to like certain Republicans.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/03/01/rahm-on-rush-hes-the-voic_n_170854.html

Rahm has lost his fucking mind.

Dean still has his.

[ShortnFiery]

24. Oh man, and someone needs to tell Rushbo that wearing black doesn't make

him look any LESS BLOATED. :puke: :evilgrin:

[Cronopio]

33. He probably thinks it makes him look dangerous. nt

[tnlefty]

41. Amazing? No. Disgusting? Yes. I called a friend in GA last night,

who I met while working for Dean in the primaries and we were discussing this. I mentioned that the re:puke:s don't hesitate to put partisans into positions even when they're not qualified, but we have to back off of a partisan who breathed life back into the party, speaks the truth, is qualified and gets things done.

We both had a 'what's wrong with this picture?' attitude. :wtf: :shrug:

[dionysus]

12. good post mad, the good doctor will always rock

:thumbsup:

[madfloridian]

13. I keep hearing the words in my mind..."without honor in his own country."

He is welcome in Europe and as much as shunned by our Democrats here.

It's a very odd and strange situation.

[chill_wind]

14. Imagine how good government could be

if we valued and rewarded more good men like him. Thank you again, Howard Dean. You gave us hope and a voice when we were wandering in the wilderness.

[madfloridian]

15. He is not valued by our Democratic leaders at all.

I will not forget that either. It goes to the heart of who we are as a party. My husband never gets mad, but this week he blew up when the DNC called for donations. He was practically yelling at the guy. I have never seen him that way.

He told them they did not have any appreciation for all of Dean's hard work. And then he told them Rahm's foul mouth was not a joking matter...to which the young fellow agreed. He started on the pick of a chairman who did not think women and gays had equal rights.

I was standing with my mouth open. Then he said hell no we don't donate to your group when you treat people like that.

[chill_wind]

16. I won't forget, either. Ever. It disgusts and hurts my heart. n/t

[madfloridian]

20. I was stunned to hear my hubby let loose on the phone like that.

I have been known for my outspokenness, but not him. I guess he carried more anger inside than he let me see.

Parties should not treat their leaders that way...not the ones who have done so much.

[acmavm]

34. I agree. This was a direct slap in his face.

And Rahm Emmanuel is not all that he's cracked up to be. Let's hope Obama gets as sick of his mouthy shit as Clinton did.

[tnlefty]

39. Will you please give your hubbie a hug from me?

:thumbsup:

[madfloridian]

40. I will do that. I just looked at him in awe.

He is just one of those people who never gets mad and is very calm. I gave him big applause for that rant.

[debbierlus]

17. This is great - A Progressive Leader, OH YEAH! We SO need one!

This is HUGE.

Dean will lead the progressives!

Oh, HAPPY Day!

I am going to give them a HUGE donation!

[Sebastian Doyle]

18. Thank you for all you did to save the Democratic party,and this country, Dr. Dean.

Just a fucking crime that so many remain so clueless about it. :evilfrown:

[madfloridian]

19. Amen to that.

[Myrina]

21. Time for this girl to get back on board, then!

:patriot: If Dr. Dean's leading the charge, I'm there!

[madfloridian]

22. Maybe we will also.

Thinking about it now.

[tan guera]

27. I'm definitely on board!

Will I be yelled at here if I suggest or wonder if maybe Howard could help us nominate and elect
a true progressive? We're talking a third party here.

[debbierlus]

32. Not by me. Howard should reenergize the progressive movement that has lost its way with Obamas

Election...

I look at DU & the lost unity. Obama promotes corporate policies (health insurance for all - the corporate wet dream), and 'liberals' line up to support this policy. Dean's plan was to create a Medicare type program that would garner the most enrollment, and thereby, squeeze out the big insurance companies. I just read that they are talking about vouchers instead of Medicare now (for future enrollment) and getting rid of that type of plan entirely.

Sebelius is being praised as a good choice by big insurance.

I think that the Democratic Party just might have created the leader of a true third party progressive movement. Once this nation sees that Obamas policies of resurrecting instead of reinventing a failed system do not work, it will be a prime time for a true progressive movement.

Dean can lead the movement. Shutting him out of the party was a mistake by the dems. They should have embraced him with open arms.

[Demeter]

28. I Expect in the Next 3 Years

Rahm will come crawling to Dean for help. I'm living for that day.

[antimatter98]

30. See, Dean is not a lobbyist, that is why Obama didn't want him.

All Obama has done is hire insiders, the ones who brought us
to where we are, and despite his 'promises,' he's letting
insiders and lobbyists create the 'change' we've been hoping for.

Dr. Dean was too qualified, and not a lobbyist for the health care industry.

[stillcool]

35. Have you listened to what Dr. Dean..

has had to say about Obama's plans to revise health care? What 'change' were 'you' hoping for? Do we all of a sudden live in a different country, with a different government because we have a new person as President? What are 'your' requirements for the Secretary of Health and Human Services, and what are your qualifications for making that decision?

[avaistheone1]

31. Obama made a big mistake not selecting Dr Dean for HHS.

What the hell was Obama thinking?

[PassingFair]

36. There is a conference call later in the month, for DFA's birthday....

If you can round up some Progressives in your area,
this will be a great opportunity the hear what
The Good Doctor has in mind.....

[TheBigotBasher]

42. Every new Senator and the President

owes Dean a massive debt of gratitude. For everything he did.